Weathering the Storm: Perseverance Pays Off at Mark Martin’s Saginaw Bay Ice Fishing Vacation School
Braving the elements on a mission to master the art of ice fishing, these dedicated students prove that patience and determination lead to success on the hardwater. Congrats to the Saginaw Bay Ice School Class of 2025!
To set the scene, it would be an understatement to say that the day one was cold and harsh. Monday morning, the first full day of Mark Martin’s Ice Fishing Vacation School on Saginaw Bay, the January Great Lakes winter was extra brisk. With a harsh atmospheric pressure change, the wind was raging increasingly harder throughout the day, eventually pushing 50mph. To make it a perfect storm of unideal conditions, the wind was blowing from the south/southeast, putting a tremendous amount of stress over miles of ice, risking a potential break-off risk. Practicing safety as #1 priority, the plans of ice fishing were postponed to the following day with tentative game plan up in the air.
Monitoring local reports and aerial overview, the ice had not broken. Maybe the weather report was not super accurate. Maybe someone said an extra prayer. Either way, the group went into motion to make the most out of their opportunities while keeping safety in mind. Riding out on their snowmobiles, a parade of instructors guided the students across uneven surfaces, slush, and the infamous Linwood Crack. Gear and equipment have properly been secured for transportation. After arriving to a general fishing area, all students would break off with their assigned instructor. This is done with the idea of safety covering water in mind.
Getting there is half the battle applies to this situation through and through. With such a harsh front moving through, the fish were expected to do fishy things and behave differently. Coaxing a walleye into biting can be described as an offer to dance- If you are prepared, do things just right, you might be going home lucky.
While perch and walleye can be finicky, they are not impossible to catch. The benefit of having a group of students assigned with staff is the ability to cover the area and try different things, ensuring a greater chance of cracking the code to enticing an interested fish. Throughout the remainder of the school, plenty of fish were caught- but students and staff alike were having to put in work for them.
Swimming jigs, lipless cranks, and jigging spoons are the three essential categories of ice fishing lures for perch and walleye.
For a horizontal presentation with a lot of action potential, swimming jigs, like the Rapala Jigging Rap, the Moonshine Shiver Minnow, or the Northland Puppet Minnow, are all popular for their long-standing reputation. Lipless crankbaits, such as the Rapala UL Rippin Rap/Slab Rap, Berkley Jack, and Northland Fishing Tackle Rippin Shad, are wonderful choices for their flash, rattle, and vibration. Jigging spoons are wonderful options for their versatility to be used fast and flashy with active jigging methods OR as a dead stick opportunity. The Berkley Vibrato, Swedish Pimple/Do-Jigger by Bay De Noc Tackle, VMC Rattle/Hatchet Spoon, or Northland Tackle Buck-Shot spoon, are all recommended across the board of industry professionals. Having variety goes a long way when giving pesky walleye options.
Another Saginaw Bay Ice Fishing Vacation School is in the books. The wind was howling, but we adapted and managed catching some nice fish. I am looking forward to next years school already!
Nate Wikowski
Especially over recent years with inconsistent winter conditions to create legitimate ice on Saginaw Bay. It does not freeze overnight; it takes time with the right conditions. The school has sometimes been forced to relocated or reschedule in the past across the lower peninsula of Michigan. Ice fishing goes like that sometimes. That is what really makes this particular rendezvous extra special. Making the most of what they could, the students worked hard, remained patient, and took a swing at it with safety and opportunity in mind while they had the chance. Lessons sometimes do not come easy, but hard work always pays off!
The concept of a fishing school began over forty years ago by the hands of freshwater fishing hall of famers and walleye pioneers Al Lindner and Gary Roach. After several years of being a teacher, Mark Martin was given the program to take over and has been successful ever since.
Above: Staff Member, Ralph Pike, shares a big smile for a big walleye that engulfed a jigging spoon.
The network has a reputation of developing anglers into highly skilled artists of the craft. At this particular event, the majority of students were returning after attending previous open water or ice fishing schools. It is important to register because the spots can fill up quickly. 2025-26 dates are to be announced. This kind of experience where people can learn and practice firsthand while having a fully licensed captain as a mentor is a Fishing Vacation School was created so that those interested have an opportunity to participate in an accelerated on whatever it may be with ice fishing Saginaw Bay with some of the most experienced staff. The mission of the program is so that students graduate having not only the knowledge, but the confidence to apply what they know in their own future ventures.
2025 future Ice Fishing School Dates are TBA in the upcoming months.
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2025 future Ice Fishing School Dates are TBA in the upcoming months. 〰️
For those interested in attending an ice fishing school, visit www.fishingvacationschool.com for a future opportunity to learn from a curriculum with centuries of experience. Upcoming dates for the 2025 Summer school will be announced in the upcoming months.
Plaques are made by Gary Vander Muelen Woodworking, out of Lake City, Michigan. The title of Biggest Fish was awarded to Mike Lukitsch for his magnificent walleye. The student recognized as Most Improved award went to Lisa Euwena for her demonstration to put her skills to work. Congrats, Mike and Lisa! This is always a really special part of Mark Martin’s Fishing Schools to celebrate the occasion and accomplishments.
Special thanks and consideration
Please consider supporting the businesses and organizations who helped with making Mark Martin’s Fishing Vacation School happen. Without their support, this program would not have operated as smoothly and effectively. Franks Great Outdoors, Linwood Corners Cafe, Linwood Campground Beach Marina and Campground, Go Great Lakes Bay, and Quality Inn & Suites Bay City, were all outstanding in providing their services and abilities to make this event happen. If you or someone you know is visiting or in the bay area, these places have you covered for your needs when it comes to comfortable lodging, having a delicious meal, purchasing fishing tackle, providing launch site with ample parking accommodations, or sharing motivation to embark on a new adventure.
